Antidepressants and EGFR

[julgusgus]

Hello allIt's my first time posting. I'm a 54 yr old female w/ stage 4 genetic CKD. My function is at 25%. My nephrologist advised I need to change my antidepressant since Cymbalta should not be taken with a function below 30%.

Has anyone experienced this and if so, what did you do and what medication did you change to?

ANY advice would be help!

Thank you!!

[Miss-guineapig]

Hello and Welcome to the group julgusgus. So sorry but I don’t know anything about antidepressants in relation to CKD. Hopefully, you will get a bit advice from others soon. Wishing you well x

[appledonut]

I’ve been taking Zoloft for 30 years. Nephrologist said I can keep taking it, in fact my dose was just increased. I am 68 years old and stage 4 CKD.

[julgusgus in reply to appledonut]

Thanks for reaching out. They suggested that I change to Zoloft or Celexa because it won't affect the kidneys. I was on Zoloft for years and it stopped working. I'm hoping to go back on it but anxious if it will work again.

[renegade70 in reply to julgusgus]

I'm on citalapram, 20 mg per day, which is the generic version of celexa. Im sure it's cheaper.I have not found that any of the antidepressants work that well for me. i have found the only psychiatric drugs that work are the benzos which cause dependency. But that does not mean that they won't work for you. Everyone's different when it comes to drugs. Good Luck with finding the right one.

[crackers2 in reply to renegade70]

Hi, I too was on Ativan for two month and it worked great for anxiety, but then I weaned off gradually because I was afraid of getting addicted and needing higher doses in time. This too was way before CKD. Now I need relief from this anxiety and would take it again but it's not recommended for 81 year old seniors. My Dr won't referr to a nephrologist because I go between stage 3 and back to 2.I have no appetite, does anyone know about appetite enhancement ?

I would appreciate some tips to regain my appetite.

Wishing everyone a good Thanksgiving.

[renegade70 in reply to julgusgus]

They are both SSRI's and in the same category. Although a change may actually help.

[julgusgus in reply to renegade70]

Thanks for the good luck wishes. Let's hope something works. Thanks for the good vibes!!

[Herewegoagain12]

Zoloft

[julgusgus]

Thank you for the information. I truly appreciate it!!

[renegade70]

yes i felt that cymbalta caused me to lose kidney function.i was in stage 3. i went on citalapram.

[julgusgus in reply to renegade70]

Did the transition go smoothly? I'm very nervous to start a new med. It's never fun. My doctor talked me into fluoxetine. I just want it to work

[Hidden]

Hi, I've been stage 4 for the past 5 years and I was on Welbutrin for most of those and my Neph was ok with that. I stopped taking it about a year ago but have continued taking Trazadone for help with sleep but it is also marketed as an antidepressant. It has not affected my kidney function.

[julgusgus in reply to Hidden]

Im glad you're doing well on the trazadone alone. Thanks for the info!

[renegade70]

The info provided in your link was the most interesting and informative that I have seen on the subject. I have been on and off so many of these antidepressant meds over the last 20 years, with none of them working very long. In addition, I have taken lorazepam and ambien for 20 years. Actually, they do help but my previous psychiatrist retired and his replacement is tapering me off of these meds that cause dependency. I am now feeling more anxious than ever because I feel panic with each taper. Thanks for the info. Doctors do not seem to know any of this information or possibly even care.

[julgusgus in reply to renegade70]

Stopping and changing meds stink. Talk about anxiety! We already have it to begin with and then have to make a switch. I'm always questioning and researching. My dr recommended Prozac first and back to Zoloft if Prozac doesn't work. I will start the transition in 2 weeks so i can go on vacation without 3x the anxiety. Lol!!! I need to laugh about it or go nuts! Obviously, I don't want my function to go down so this must be done.I need to be tough.

[crackers2 in reply to julgusgus]

Hi julgusgus, pi too have extreme anxiety that lasts all day. The first day I used zoloft, gave me terrible panck attacks, so never used it again Lexapro worked for years and then I didn't went off it because I didn't think it worked. Now years later I want to go back on but it's not recommended with the new water pill i was put on for blood pressure. This anxiety and trembling all day is unbearable.

Has any one experienced this ? Or have a comment. Thank you.

[julgusgus in reply to crackers2]

Hi! I'm sorry you feel this way. There is no reason you have to suffer with this. I would go to your nephrologist and tell them you want to go on medication and they'll let you know what to try so if won't affect your kidneys. Of course, exercise and diet are great as well, but there is no reason for you not to take medicine to start you off. Xo

[julgusgus]

I believe it. I wonder if other countries are more savvy with antianxiety meds. There has to be that magic thing that helps!!!

[crackers2]

Hi Barabara, I just read the article you posted. It's interesting and scary I wonder if most general practitioners even know about this intricate problem of mental health and CKD. Thank you , I hope you feel better and this new drug workes for you.